Balochistan doctors extend strike to private hospitals

QUETTA - Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Balochistan has announced complete boycott of all government and private hospitals on Monday in protest against government’sfailure to recover Dr Saeed Khan and shelling on doctors.Dr Saeed Khan was abducted on October 16 from Sariab Road of Quetta and since then the PMA was on strike in all state-run hospitals of Balochistan but now, extending their protest, they also boycotted private hospitals.Throngs of doctors led by PMA Balochistan President DrSultan Tareen took out a rally from Quetta Civil Hospital and after marching through various roads of the city gathered at Zarghoon Roadon Monday.Protesting doctors were carrying placards and banners inscribed with demands of security and shouting slogans against the government for its failure to provide security to doctors.Police fired several shells of teargas when doctors violated red zone and tried to stage a sit-in outside Governor’s House. Police clashed with doctors when they tried to march towards Governor’s House. Several doctors received injuries while many were arrested and taken to different police stations.Following the shelling and arrests, doctorssprawl their strike to private hospitals for an indefinite period and announced boycott of emergency services in all hospitals.Addressing a press conference, Dr Hameedullah Panazai, Dr Shahzada Daud, DrJahanzaib Nasir condemned the police shelling and arrest of doctors who were taking out a peaceful rally. They said several doctors were wounded and fell unconscious due to shelling while more than 100 doctors were arrested.They regretted that instead of taking action against kidnappers, the government was showing force to doctors who were holding a peaceful rally for recoveryof their colleague. They said that police manhandled doctors and fired teargas.Leader of Paramedical Staff Federation Jamal Shah Kakar expressed solidarity with doctors and also announced complete boycott in the Quetta Civil Hospital.Meanwhile, the Balochistan government issued show cause notices to 250 doctors after their refusal to end the strike.According to Balochistan Health Secretary Asmatullah Kakar, doctors were given 24 hours ultimatum to ensure their attendance on their duties but they did not turn up. He said that the strike was illegal and show cause notices were issued to those doctors who violated the law. He said that after completion of legal formalities action would be taken against doctors.

This news was published in The Nation newspaper. Read complete newspaper of 20-Nov-2012 here.